Open Case File [COMPLETED]

The End (Part 1)

"Let me know when you're in position," Mason said in Carter's ear.

As they reached the edge of the building, Carter peered over. The window below her was dark. She crouched down, pressing her back into the rough stone ledge.

Brock knelt next to her, unslinging the black duffle bag from around his shoulders. He handed Carter a harness and she stepped into it as he pulled out a coil of thick rope and his own harness. When they were in place, Carter ready to scale the wall, she spoke.

"We're in position."

"Affirmative. SWAT is surrounding the building."

Carter waited for the go-ahead, her heart pounding. Not with anticipation but with need. They were so close to it all being over and all she could think about was the end. Brock squeezed her arm.

"Focus, we're not done yet," he said.

Carter let out a slow breath, realigning her thoughts. Nothing could go wrong tonight. That meant everything had to be pushed from her mind, even Donovan. Carter flexed and curled her hands, letting adrenaline surge through her, putting her on alert.

Nothing but this night, this building, this mission mattered. She had nothing but this.

With each inhale and exhale, she guarded herself against intrusive thoughts of what could go wrong, what would it mean if they didn't succeed, what she would do if she couldn't get back to her family. All of it was blocked from her mind.

When Mason's voice filled her ear, she was ready.

"SWAT move. Carter breach."

With a nod from Brock, Carter hoisted herself over the ledge of the roof and dropped down the side of the building. The street below her was dizzily far away, but she didn't think about it. All she focused on was the wall beneath her feet, the zipping sound of the rope running through her harness and the window growing closer with each second.

When she reached it, she locked the rope in place, leaving her hands free, and her body hovering thirty stories above the pavement. Unhooking a picklock set from her belt, she worked on the window until she heard a faint pop. Gently, she pried the window up and slipped inside. She unstrapped the rope, tugged on it once, and watched as it disappeared overhead.

In the blackness of the room, she moved to the opposite side and tucked herself into a corner. She didn't have to wait long before she heard the pounding of footsteps and the door slammed open. A light burst into life and Carter squinted against the sudden brightness.

Driven with panic, Frank O'Malley, crime boss and threat to Carter's family, didn't even glance around the room as he entered. Instead, he headed straight for the safe at the back. Carter waited. This was what she was here for, catch O'Mally too early and they would never get what was in the safe.

When Carter heard a soft click, she raised her gun and stepped out of the hiding spot. With the barrel pointed at O'Malley's back, she eased the office door shut and locked it. No need to have his bodyguards rushing in. Hearing the lock engage, O'Malley swung around, freezing when he saw Carter. His face paled.

"You're supposed to be dead," he said.

"Then I'm the ghost of crimes past."

O'Malley's eyes flickered to his desk.

"Do it," she said. "I would love a reason to stop your heart after all you've put me through. What you've made me put my family through."

Seeing the unwavering resolve in Carter's eyes, O'Malley put his hands up.